This is a sweet story that can teach important lessons in a number of different ways. At the beginning of the book, we meet Boomer, a happy, older dogThis is a sweet story that can teach important lessons in a number of different ways. At the beginning of the book, we meet Boomer, a happy, older dog with a comfortable life and family. He suddenly encounters something unexpected - a new puppy - and everything changes! The puppy seems to be getting all his family's attention and gets to ignore all the usual rules; Baby even wants to play with Boomer's favorite toy! Boomer feels sad and dejected until Baby himself goes to Boomer with an invitation to play. Boomer embraces this new friendship and joins Baby in creating great doggy mischief and mayhem. The story concludes with Baby and Boomer settling down for bed together, having BOTH received good night snuggles from their family.
Boomer's Big Surprise is a straightforward, easy-to-understand narrative told with simple language that should be accessible to most any kids over the age of three. The illustrations compliment the text nicely, with the pictures showing the chaos caused by the dogs around the house being especially humorous. This story is also a good teaching tool on a number of levels - it can help children articulate and understand different emotions, especially loneliness, which can be helpful in navigating a multitude of social situations. It can be presented to kids anticipating the arrival of a new sibling to discuss 1) how babies and older kids have different needs and therefore different rules, 2) how the extra attention that new babies often receive is only temporary and that at the end of the day, both siblings are loved, and 3) how older siblings can find joy in receiving a younger sibling as a new playmate and friend. On the flip side, this story can also be used to prepare children for the adoption of a new pet. It can help them understand that a new puppy (or kitten, bunny, etc.) will often get into mischief around the house and cause disruptions to the existing routine, and even more importantly, parents can use this to discuss why children should be encouraged to pay extra attention to pets they already have even after the new pet's arrival, to help their existing pets still feel loved and special too.
I recommend Boomer's Big Surprise to anyone looking for a good new picture book to add to their children's collection, especially those families with fellow animal lovers like myself :)...more
Any child who has ever felt lonely will appreciate this book about Little Beaver. The story begins with Little Beaver lamenting that he has no brotherAny child who has ever felt lonely will appreciate this book about Little Beaver. The story begins with Little Beaver lamenting that he has no brothers, sisters, or friends at all. Then much to his surprise, he hears someone else crying from across the pond, in exactly the same predicament as he is. He immediately sets off to discover who else it is that needs a friend. Along the way he encounters Duck, Otter, and Turtle, who agree to become Little Beaver's friend and to join him on his journey. Reaching the far side of the pond, he meets the Wise Old Beaver, who explains that Echo is the one that Little Beaver heard crying. Echo always lives on the other side of the pond and mimics all that Little Beaver is experiencing. Little Beaver then realizes that both he and Echo now have friends.
The sweet story is illustrated with simple, charming pictures that will appeal to readers young and old alike. The book is well written and is appropriate to kids of all ages, but is especially ideal for those around the age of five. The straightforward manner in which the story is told and the clever way in which it is resolved conceals within it the more subtle insight that (to quote a Care Bear show I once watched as a child) "To make a friend, you have to be a friend." It was Little Beaver's concern for others that ultimately cured his own loneliness, and in this is wisdom for us all.
Overall, this book is very enjoyable and I happily recommend it to others!...more
In this charming story, turtle goes off on a journey to find a new home because he doesn't like that his own shell is so clunky. He asks each animal tIn this charming story, turtle goes off on a journey to find a new home because he doesn't like that his own shell is so clunky. He asks each animal that he encounters - a fox, a dove, a mole, and a field mouse - about their homes, and sees in each something that makes their homes better than his own. Finally he returns to the garden where the story begins, where he meets a snail who helps turtle realize what makes living in a shell actually so wonderful. The lesson is conveyed simply and effectively, and leaves turtle at the end with not only a new appreciation for his own home, but also a new friend to share his future adventures with.
The language and length of the book are ideal for kids in early elementary school, but my younger kids enjoyed it as well. The illustrations are bright and cheerful without being too "loud" or overpowering. The back end sheets of the book also include some bonus facts about turtles which will appeal to those who enjoy learning about animals/nature. I highly recommend sharing "A Home for Little Turtle" by Ariane Chottin with your little ones today!...more
Has your child ever been a Thomas or Chuggington fan? If so, then your child will enjoy "Trains" by Emily Bone! It is a great little book for anyone wHas your child ever been a Thomas or Chuggington fan? If so, then your child will enjoy "Trains" by Emily Bone! It is a great little book for anyone who would like a simple, straightforward overview of the topic. Each set of pages covers a basic aspect of trains, including what they do, how they are powered/operated, and how trains can be specialized to address specific challenges (i.e. steep mountains). The brief descriptions are informative without getting bogged down in too much detail, and they are complimented by a mix of real-life pictures and fun illustrations. Trains from specific places around the world like Namibia, Africa, are featured periodically and help children see tangible examples of what they are learning (while also providing a bit of a geography lesson too!)
For younger audiences (under age 4), the book may be a bit long to read all in one sitting, but the structure of the book makes it easy for parents to read specific sections of it if need be. The book is organized nicely, even including a Table of Contents, a Glossary, an Index, and a list of internet references where parents and their children can learn more. My own kids loved this little book - my oldest son memorized much of the material in it, and grown-ups (such as myself) can learn from it too. If you have train-loving children, I highly recommend adding this book to your collection!...more
Has your child ever gone looking for a favorite stuffed animal that they just had to have before going to sleep? If so, then your child will definitelHas your child ever gone looking for a favorite stuffed animal that they just had to have before going to sleep? If so, then your child will definitely relate to this sweet story. This book features a little boy looking for Huggle Buggle Bear as he prepares for bed. Huggle Buggle and his friends, unbeknownst to him, are always one step ahead of the little boy until he finally finds them tucked in bed waiting for him.
The text of the story has a fun rhythm to it while the illustrations perfectly convey the action of the stuffed animals as they play their little game of hide-and-seek with the boy. I also like that the story calls out how the little boy is feeling in each scene, helping children to learn to articulate different emotions they might be feeling. The book is relatively short and simple while the pictures are large and colorful - making this an ideal story for the toddler/preschool age group. This book also falls into the category of books-I-don't-mind-reading-100-times. I highly recommend Huggle Buggle Bear to my fellow parents!...more
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